BOTTOM LINE: The Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Golden State Warriors in cross-conference play.
The Warriors have gone 21-16 at home. Golden State is second in the league averaging 15.9 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 35.7% from downtown. Moses Moody leads the team averaging 2.5 makes while shooting 40.1% from 3-point range.
The Cavaliers are 23-15 on the road. Cleveland ranks seventh in the Eastern Conference shooting 35.9% from 3-point range.
The Warriors average 114.9 points per game, 0.4 fewer points than the 115.3 the Cavaliers allow. The Cavaliers are shooting 48.0% from the field, 0.3% higher than the 47.7% the Warriors' opponents have shot this season.
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Warriors won 99-94 in the last matchup on Dec. 7.
TOP PERFORMERS: Brandin Podziemski is scoring 13.3 points per game with 5.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Warriors. Pat Spencer is averaging 9.7 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 44.3% over the past 10 games.
James Harden is scoring 23.7 points per game and averaging 4.9 rebounds for the Cavaliers. Max Strus is averaging 2.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Warriors: 4-6, averaging 112.5 points, 39.7 rebounds, 28.1 assists, 9.6 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.4 points per game.
Cavaliers: 7-3, averaging 123.0 points, 44.1 rebounds, 29.0 assists, 7.1 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 51.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.6 points.
INJURIES: Warriors: Quinten Post: out (foot), Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), Al Horford: out (calf), Moses Moody: out for season (knee), Gui Santos: out (pelvis), Stephen Curry: out (knee), Gary Payton II: out (knee), De'Anthony Melton: out (thumb), Kristaps Porzingis: out (illness).
Cavaliers: Max Strus: day to day (foot), Jarrett Allen: day to day (knee), Sam Merrill: day to day (injury management), Dean Wade: out (ankle), Jaylon Tyson: out (toe).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Boston Celtics (51-25, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (30-46, 11th in the Eastern Conference)
Milwaukee; Friday, 8 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Boston visits the Milwaukee Bucks after Jaylen Brown scored 43 points in the Celtics' 147-129 win over the Miami Heat.
The Bucks are 20-27 in Eastern Conference games. Milwaukee is fourth in the league averaging 14.9 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 38.6% from downtown. AJ Green leads the team averaging 2.8 makes while shooting 40.8% from 3-point range.
The Celtics have gone 32-15 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston is fourth in the Eastern Conference with 12.6 offensive rebounds per game led by Neemias Queta averaging 2.9.
The Bucks' 14.9 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.8 more made shots on average than the 14.1 per game the Celtics allow. The Celtics average 15.3 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.5 more makes per game than the Bucks allow.
The two teams play for the fourth time this season. The Celtics defeated the Bucks 108-81 in their last matchup on March 3. Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with 25 points, and Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 19 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Ryan Rollins is averaging 17.1 points, 5.6 assists and 1.5 steals for the Bucks. Ousmane Dieng is averaging 13.2 points and 3.9 assists over the past 10 games.
Brown is scoring 28.8 points per game and averaging 7.0 rebounds for the Celtics. Pritchard is averaging 3.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Bucks: 3-7, averaging 109.3 points, 39.6 rebounds, 24.0 assists, 7.8 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.0 points per game.
Celtics: 8-2, averaging 115.1 points, 48.2 rebounds, 24.4 assists, 6.2 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.6 points.
INJURIES: Bucks: Gary Harris: day to day (personal), Kevin Porter Jr.: out for season (knee), Kyle Kuzma: day to day (achilles), Myles Turner: day to day (ankle), Thanasis Antetokounmpo: day to day (calf), Giannis Antetokounmpo: out (ankle), Ryan Rollins: day to day (hip), Bobby Portis: day to day (wrist), Taurean Prince: day to day (neck), Gary Trent Jr.: day to day (hip).
Celtics: Nikola Vucevic: out (finger).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Toronto Raptors (42-34, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (25-51, 12th in the Western Conference)
Memphis, Tennessee; Friday, 8 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Cam Spencer and the Memphis Grizzlies host Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors in non-conference play.
The Grizzlies have gone 14-25 in home games. Memphis is 3-5 in games decided by less than 4 points.
The Raptors are 21-17 in road games. Toronto is fifth in the Eastern Conference giving up only 112.3 points while holding opponents to 46.7% shooting.
The Grizzlies average 13.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.0 more made shot on average than the 12.7 per game the Raptors give up. The Grizzlies average 114.4 points per game, 5.1 fewer points than the 119.5 the Grizzlies give up to opponents.
The teams square off for the second time this season. The Raptors won 117-104 in the last matchup on Nov. 2. RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 27 points, and Santi Aldama led the Grizzlies with 15 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Spencer is averaging 11.1 points and 5.5 assists for the Grizzlies. Tyler Burton is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Brandon Ingram is scoring 21.4 points per game and averaging 5.5 rebounds for the Raptors. Ja'Kobe Walter is averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Grizzlies: 2-8, averaging 110.8 points, 35.0 rebounds, 25.4 assists, 9.9 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 44.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 126.4 points per game.
Raptors: 5-5, averaging 119.7 points, 39.9 rebounds, 33.8 assists, 10.2 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 52.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.7 points.
INJURIES: Grizzlies: Santi Aldama: out for season (knee), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: out for season (finger), Taylor Hendricks: day to day (finger), Ja Morant: out for season (elbow), Scotty Pippen Jr.: out for season (toe), Zach Edey: out for season (ankle), Ty Jerome: day to day (ankle), Jaylen Wells: out for season (toe), Taj Gibson: day to day (foot), Brandon Clarke: out for season (calf).
Raptors: Brandon Ingram: day to day (rest), Immanuel Quickley: day to day (foot), Jamison Battle: day to day (illness).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Utah Jazz (21-56, 14th in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (47-29, fifth in the Western Conference)
Houston; Friday, 8 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Houston hosts Utah looking to extend its four-game home winning streak.
The Rockets are 25-22 against Western Conference opponents. Houston averages 14.5 turnovers per game and is 19-8 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents.
The Jazz are 11-36 against Western Conference opponents. Utah is sixth in the league scoring 17.1 fast break points per game. Lauri Markkanen leads the Jazz averaging 3.3.
The Rockets score 114.4 points per game, 11.0 fewer points than the 125.4 the Jazz give up. The Jazz score 7.4 more points per game (117.3) than the Rockets give up (109.9).
The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Rockets won the last matchup 125-105 on Feb. 24. Jabari Smith Jr. scored 31 points to help lead the Rockets to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Kevin Durant is averaging 25.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists for the Rockets. Reed Sheppard is averaging 3.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Ace Bailey is averaging 13.5 points for the Jazz. Brice Sensabaugh is averaging 17.2 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 6-4, averaging 116.3 points, 46.8 rebounds, 29.4 assists, 8.0 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.1 points per game.
Jazz: 1-9, averaging 117.1 points, 42.0 rebounds, 29.8 assists, 9.4 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 128.2 points.
INJURIES: Rockets: Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle).
Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: out (hip), Isaiah Collier: out (hamstring), Keyonte George: out (leg), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic: out for season (nose), Elijah Harkless: day to day (hamstring), Jaren Jackson Jr.: out for season (knee).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Orlando Magic (40-36, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Dallas Mavericks (24-52, 13th in the Western Conference)
Dallas; Friday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Dallas takes on Orlando looking to stop its 13-game home losing streak.
The Mavericks have gone 14-24 in home games. Dallas ranks second in the Western Conference with 53.2 points per game in the paint led by Cooper Flagg averaging 11.3.
The Magic are 16-20 on the road. Orlando ranks ninth in the Eastern Conference with 32.3 defensive rebounds per game led by Paolo Banchero averaging 7.2.
The Mavericks are shooting 46.7% from the field this season, 1.0 percentage point lower than the 47.7% the Magic allow to opponents. The Magic average 11.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.2 fewer made shots on average than the 12.9 per game the Mavericks give up.
The teams square off for the second time this season. The Magic won the last matchup 115-114 on March 6, with Tristan da Silva scoring 19 points in the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Naji Marshall is averaging 15.5 points and 3.3 assists for the Mavericks. Flagg is averaging 22.1 points over the last 10 games.
Desmond Bane is scoring 20.3 points per game and averaging 4.1 rebounds for the Magic. Jevon Carter is averaging 1.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Mavericks: 2-8, averaging 115.6 points, 43.3 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 8.6 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 127.9 points per game.
Magic: 2-8, averaging 111.6 points, 38.4 rebounds, 24.3 assists, 7.4 steals and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 123.3 points.
INJURIES: Mavericks: Naji Marshall: day to day (illness), Dereck Lively II: out for season (foot), Caleb Martin: day to day (foot), P.J. Washington: day to day (illness), Daniel Gafford: day to day (shoulder), Kyrie Irving: out for season (knee), Marvin Bagley III: day to day (shoulder), Klay Thompson: day to day (rest).
Magic: Anthony Black: out (abdomen), Jonathan Isaac: out (knee).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Shamet dropped 13 points on 3-of-5 from beyond the arc while providing his usual pesky defense.
The Knicks outscored the Grizzlies by 13 points with Shamet on the court.
Coach Mike Brown was excited for the comeback of one of his favorite players.
“He’s arguably one of our, if not the best, on-ball defenders,” said Brown, whose team went 2-3 without Shamet. “Especially when it comes to ball screens and dribble handoffs. He’s really physical in that area. And you feel him. His pace offensively creates gravity for others. And then his ability to shoot. He can string together two or three 3s. And it can create separation for him and give our group confidence. We had to find other ways. But we missed that from him, especially from his size.”
Shamet, too, was satisfied. But he felt the fatigue that usually accompanies a return.
“I was definitely a little tired at the end of the game,” he said. “The legs — that’s obviously the biggest thing. You can do all you want to stay in shape but playing a real NBA basketball game, that’s like the next layer of your rehab or whatever. You just got to get reps and get your legs back under you. So I felt really good. Just naturally a little heavy at the end. But that’s alright.”
Landry Shamet, who scored 13 points, in the Knicks’ 130-119 win over the Grizzlies on April 1, 2026 in Memphis. NBAE via Getty Images
Mikal Bridges played in his 633rd consecutive game Wednesday, eclipsing Andre Miller for the eighth-longest streak in NBA history.
Everybody ahead of Bridges completed their streak in the 1980s or before.
Next up at No. 7 is Harry Gallatin at 682 straight games before he retired in 1958.
“Hopefully, I have kids one day and I’ll brag about it,” Bridges said.
Miles McBride took a night off for load management on a back-to-back, one day after he shot 1-for-9 in a loss to the Rockets.
McBride is easing back from sports hernia surgery, and he has struggled in his two comeback appearances while shooting 1 for 12 combined.
Brown said he’s good with the attempts
“If you’re open, let it fly,” Brown said. “I even told him this before, I don’t care if he’s 0-for-15. I just want him to feel the aggression, get to his spots.”
Brown noted that McBride had a 3-point attempt blocked in the Rockets game, an indication he didn’t have his legs under him yet.
“I don’t think I’ve seen anybody block Deuce’s shot — his 3-point shot. Because he gets so high, he gets lift,” Brown said. “That’s just him not playing. So I want guys like that, if you’re open, let it fly.”
DENVER — Jared Bednar is typically the picture of a smooth operator — calm, cool, and collected.
But even the Stanley Cup-winning head coach has his limits. Wednesday night pushed him there.
The Colorado Avalanche, the NHL’s top team, were stunned on home ice, falling 8–6 to the league’s last-place Vancouver Canucks — a result as jarring as any they’ve produced this season.
Makar was not in the lineup due to an upper-body injury.
Vancouver entered the night on a six-game losing streak, scoring just 11 total goals over that stretch. They also carried one of the worst penalty kills in NHL history since the stat has been tracked. Still, Colorado conceded a shorthanded goal and unraveled defensively in a way that’s becoming increasingly concerning.
In short, the Avalanche were outplayed, outworked, and out-executed for the first 40 minutes. While they showed pushback in the third — something Bednar acknowledged — it did little to soften the larger issue.
"I (liked) the way we played in the third, but the reality of it is, if you want to win in this league, you have to play that way for 60 minutes," he told The Hockey News. "And we weren't even close.
"Wasn't a great first, it got worse in the second. Yeah, if you want to hand out like badges for good effort and stuff like that, I think we're beyond that. Effort for 20 minutes and doing the right things for 20 minutes isn't good enough."
When asked if there were any positives to take, Bednar didn’t hesitate to shut that down.
"Close as I get to a positive is what we just talked about. Again, we're past that. If this was the start of the season; we're making all sorts of mistakes...and build on what we did in the third period, is like trying to get a standard of play and the way you need to play an exhibition with a bunch of kids, but not now.
"I think if we're making excuses for that performance, it's gonna be a short run."
What Went Wrong
To put it plainly: everything.
Mackenzie Blackwood got the start and allowed six goals on 19 shots, with several falling into the category of stoppable. But the defensive structure in front of him was just as culpable, repeatedly breaking down and leaving Grade-A looks unchecked.
“He’s one of 20. That’s all I can say,” Bednar said. “One of 20 guys that wasn’t good enough.”
Sam Malinski scored twice, while Nathan MacKinnon, Gabe Landeskog, Brent Burns, and Parker Kelly each added a goal. After falling behind 6–2 and pulling Blackwood, Colorado mounted an impressive rally to tie the game at 6–6.
Then, much like the revamped power play from the last month, it vanished.
Just 23 seconds after the equalizer, Marcus Pettersson — without a goal since November — restored Vancouver’s lead, a backbreaking sequence that perfectly encapsulated Colorado’s night. An empty-netter followed to seal it.
The Avalanche missed a chance to take another step toward clinching the Central Division with a win over the Dallas Stars on Saturday. They remain firmly in control, but a performance like this — against the worst team in the league — does nothing to inspire confidence. If anything, it amplifies the inconsistencies that have lingered beneath the surface all season.
What Happened
Vancouver struck on the opening shift, setting the tone immediately. Nathan MacKinnon answered less than a minute later with his 50th goal of the season, becoming the first player in the NHL to reach the milestone this year.
But the response didn’t spark stability.
The Canucks regained control before the first intermission, scoring on both the power play and while shorthanded. Colorado managed to hang around with a late goal, but the warning signs were already there.
They only intensified in the second.
Vancouver poured in three unanswered goals, chasing Blackwood from the game. At the time of the third tally, the Avalanche had just three shots in the period — a telling snapshot of a team disconnected in all three zones. Defensive coverage was loose, the forecheck ineffective, and nearly every dangerous look against ended up in the net.
Then, suddenly, life.
Malinski opened the third-period scoring after Scott Wedgewood took over in relief. Fourteen seconds in, Parker Kelly struck to cut the deficit to two. Brent Burns made it a one-goal game at 13:21, and Malinski completed the comeback at 13:58, tying it 6–6.
Ball Arena came alive. Momentum had fully flipped. The Avalanche had erased a four-goal deficit.
And then, just as quickly, it was gone.
Twenty-three seconds later, Vancouver answered to reclaim the lead — and that was all she wrote.
If Colorado has any intention of making a deep playoff run, this has to be a wake-up call. Cale Makar’s absence is notable, but as Bednar made clear, it’s no excuse. Not now. Not with the postseason looming.
Because if this version of the Avalanche shows up in two weeks, Bednar’s warning may prove prophetic: it will be a short run.
Maybe Jeff McNeil was trying to exorcise his early-season demons.
The former Met let out an expletive into a hot mic after he struck out in the top of the ninth that was so loud that the astronauts on the Artemis II could have heard it in space.
McNeil let out a massive “F–k!” after he tipped the ball into the glove of the Braves catcher Drake Baldwin who held on to the catch with his bare hand after it popped up during the Athletics’ 5-1 loss in Atlanta on Wednesday.
The A’s second baseman had been taking a swing at a 2-2 slider from Braves closer Raisel Iglesias, which led to the ball getting clipped and landing in the glove of the catcher.
After that, McNeil made the outburst that was clearly picked up on the broadcast.
It’s a safe bet that the expletive was directed beyond just the lone out, as he’s struggled in the first few games with his new team since the 2026 season began.
McNeill is batting .077 through his first five games of the season and has just one hit in 13 at-bats. He went hitless in two at-bats as a pinch hitter on Wednesday.
Additionally, the club has struggled out of the gate, winning just one of its first six games, with the lone victory coming against the Braves on March 31.
Jeff McNeil (22) hits the ball into the glove of catcher Drake Baldwin who held on for a catch for a strikeout in the ninth inning of Athletics’ 5-1 loss to the Braves on April 1, 2026. AP
McNeill is known for playing with fiery passion, and Wednesday was not the first time he was caught using an expletive after being struck out.
Last September, while still with the Mets, McNeil was caught on the field mic shouting, “F-K YOU, GOD DAMNIT!”
That incident occurred during a game against the Rangers at Citi Field when he struck out in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The comment was directed toward the home plate umpire and McNeil was quickly ejected from the game.
McNeil, a two-time MLB All-Star, was traded to the Athletics during the offseason in a deal that sent pitching prospect Yordan Rodríguez to Queens.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 01: Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a pitch against the Detroit Tigers at Chase Field on April 01, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There’s always a worry that a team will come out flat the day after an emotional victory like last night’s come-from-behind win. That’s why it’s important to have a strong performance from your starting pitcher – particularly with this team’s bullpen – and Zac Gallen delivered exactly what the team needed. Unfortunately, he was lined up against the two-time Cy Young winner in Tarik Skubal who continues to show why he’s one of the best starters in the game right now. It’s rare that Opening Day starters square off outside of what should be a national holiday, but that was the case today across the league. And we were treated to a taut, well-played, defensive and pitching masterclass that the D-Backs narrowly took.
Thankfully though, Skubal wasn’t perfect. One of the few mistakes he made all afternoon opened – and closed – the scoring when Corbin Carroll launched a fastball above the zone that just snuck over the centerfield fence to give the D-Backs a 1-0 lead in the very first inning. The D-Backs created plenty of traffic throughout the game – there were only two innings where they didn’t have at least one baserunner – but they failed to capitalize on any of them. Instead, Skubal did what any starting pitcher would like to do: he induced weak contact and allowed his defense to work behind him by dialing up three separate double plays that extinguished rallies before they even started.
For his part, Gallen was up to the pitching duel, matching Skubal’s scoreless innings step for step. He leaned a little more heavily on his knuckle curve over his slider to great effect, collecting a pair of whiffs on the pitch. But even better, Gallen also leaned on his defense – far from a team strength the last two years – as he had just two strikeouts across his six innings. In fact, there were only eight strikeouts total from each team, landing in the lower-third of strikeout totals for games so far this season. Instead, there were defensive gems on both sides that kept the offense off the board. Crucially, Gallen ended his outing with an incredible show of athleticism and quick thinking. With the tying run at third after a one out triple from Kevin McGonigle, Gleyber Torres smacked a ball ticketed for right field that Jose Fernandez snagged out of the air and immediately threw to third to double up McGonigle and end the inning. It was a heads up play that you can’t always expect from a player who’s in his second career big league game, but Fernandez has already shown a level head for big moments and demonstrated it again today.
In classic baseball fashion, after a deflating sweep at the hand of the hated Dodgers to open the season, the D-Backs returned home to sweep the AL Central favorites with a dynamic offense, excellent defense, and just enough pitching to make it all hold up. It’s easy to live and die with the results of each game and I’m certainly prone to that kind of vacillating feeling throughout the season, but it’s always worth remembering to take a deep breath and remind yourself that it’s a long season and your confidence can change drastically on a day-to-day basis.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 9: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles while being guarded by Cason Wallace #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of an NBA game at Crypto.com Arena on February 9, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Lakers (50-26) head on the road to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (60-16) on Thursday.
This is a huge game for the purple and gold, who have yet to win against the reigning champs this regular season.
The Lakers have exactly six games remaining in the regular season, and two of those are against the Thunder.
These games can be viewed as the perfect measuring stick for the Lakers, who just had an incredible month of March, winning 15 of 17 games. Los Angeles has been playing its best basketball, led by its MVP candidate, Luka Dončić, and the only question left is: in the midst of all of this, how legit are the Lakers really?
Well, we’re about to find out if they can keep up with not only the defending champions but the best basketball team this regular season. Lakers head coach JJ Redick perfectly described what to expect from this Thunder team ahead of their matchups this week:
“I do know that they’re great on both sides of the ball,” Redick said postgame after LA’s win over Cleveland. “They’re going to make you work for things defensively because of how physical they are. They just do a great job of driving. You really have to do your best to keep them out of the paint.”
The Thunder are not only elite at scoring in the paint and defending the basketball, but they also have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is playing at an MVP level. SGA is currently averaging 31.6 points, 6.5 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Let’s see if Los Angeles can win this game and start April off by defeating the defending champs.
Notes and Updates
The Thunder are the only team this season to have reached 60 wins. To do that as the champs speaks volumes about how great they are. They’re currently on a three-game winning streak and, like the Lakers, have won nine out of their last 10 games.
For the Lakers’ injury report, Marcus Smart (right ankle contusion) remains out.
Adou Thiero (G-League), Dalton Knecht (G-League) and Kobe Bufkin (G-League) will be with the South Bay Lakers.
As for the Thunder, only PJ Hall (right ankle soreness) is out.
GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 19: Kahlil Watson #71 of the Cleveland Guardians poses for a portrait during photo day at Goodyear Ballpark on February 19, 2026 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was a fun day for the Clippers. We saw Kahlil Watson go 2-4 with a 413 foot bomb off of a 98 mph fastball. Stuart Fairchild also hit two HRs of his own. Juan Brito continues to destroy AAA pitching. After his 2-4 performance today, he is now hitting .400 with a 1.085 OPS on the season thus far. He should probably get an opportunity with the big league club soon.
It was a great day for the Clippers pitching staff as well. Trent Denholm struck out 8 batters in 6 innings while allowing just one run on two hits. We also got to see Daniel Espino and Franco Aleman throw scoreless innings.
This will be the last minor league recap that features just one team, as Thursday, April 2nd will be opening day for all the Guardians affiliates. I cannot wait to watch some minor league baseball this season.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, April...
There was, technically and by legal definition, a regular-season game between two NBA teams inside Chase Center on Wednesday night.
But it wasn’t a fair fight. Not even close.
There are few foes on the same level as the Spurs and superhuman Victor Wembanyama these days, and the especially bruised and battered group of Warriors that took their home court were a far cry from counting themselves among them.
Victor Wembanyama throws down a dunk. AP
Wembanyama continued to make his MVP case with 41 points and 18 rebounds while the Warriors fell behind 10-0 and hardly sniffed single digits again in a 127-113 loss to the hottest team in the NBA.
Missing his 26th consecutive game, Steph Curry led a list of inactives that was as long as Steve Kerr’s rotation. Of the nine players in uniform, seven scored in double figures, led by Nate Williams with 18 in a remarkable 47-minute effort. But who didn’t play mattered just as much as anyone who did.
What it means
The loss was the Warriors’ second in a row after a brief three-game winning streak against lesser opponents, but the outcomes of each individual game holds little meaning for a team that is more or less locked into the No. 10 seed, or at least the bottom play-in matchup.
Even with a talented defender like Draymond Green on Victor Wembanyama, the Warriors could not stop him. AP
There was more consequence in the pregame warmups: Curry went through his normal routine, and is reportedly targeting Sunday for a return from a two-month absence.
Turning point
It’s possible that no version of these Warriors could contain Wembanyama and the Spurs — few have over their current 26-2 stretch — but the deck was stacked when the injury report dropped.
In addition to the seven rotation regulars already ruled out, Gui Santos (pelvis) and Gary Payton II (knee) were downgraded from questionable to out before tipoff.
Draymond Green drives to the basket against the San Antonio Spurs. NBAE via Getty Images
Without Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford or Quinten Post, the Warriors were left with Omer Yurtseven — playing on his second 10-day contract — and two-way forward Malevy Leons as their only resistance besides the 6-foot-5 Green against Wembanyama.
Wembanyama had six points before the Warriors had any and scored 14 while the Spurs raced out to a 25-9 advantage before barely six minutes had expired. It took him two minutes into the second quarter to secure a double-double. By halftime, he had 27 and 13, and San Antonio led 70-49.
Victor Wembanyama prepares to shoot a free throw against the Golden State Warriors. NBAE via Getty Images
MVP: Victor Wembanyama
There seemed to be nothing the (listed) 7-foot-4 phenom wasn’t capable of against the undermanned Warriors. He wasn’t just the most valuable player on the court; he looked like the MVP of the entire league.
Stat of the game: 2
Brandin Podziemski looked well on his way to a big night — maybe even his first 30-point effort — after the first quarter. He was 3-for-5 from the field, 2-for-3 from 3 and 4-for-4 from the line with 12 of the Warriors’ 26 points in the opening period.
But Podziemski scored only two more points the rest of the night as Kerr limited him to 17 minutes. Williams picked up the slack with the most minutes by a Warrior in regulation since Harrison Barnes in 2014.
Up next
The Warriors should resemble something closer to full strength when they host the Cavaliers on Thursday in the second half of a back-to-back at Chase Center. Golden State opted for that matchup rather than Wembanyama for Porzingis, and there’s hope that De’Anthony Melton, Payton and Santos will be ready to play with an extra day.
If Curry continues to progress as hoped, it could also be the last of a 27-game absence.
Apr 1, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) holds onto a rebound against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
The Warriors were missing nine players and had to play a patchwork lineup of mostly undrafted players. They played with a lot of effort in a rough and tumble game and the Spurs didn’t play their cleanest game, but the talent difference was too much for the undermanned Golden State squad. The Spurs never quite turned the game into a blowout, but Wembanyama was transcendent with 41 points and 18 rebounds, and they kept the Warriors at arm’s length for the entire second half. Golden State could never cut the lead to single digits as San Antonio won 127-113
Observations
The last game, I used the tired metaphor that the Spurs ran out of gas at the end of the game. Unfortunately, another writer used the same line a few hours later. My bad, I should have stayed on the crazy train with Ozzy. [UPDATE: I did not get aboard the CRAZY TRAIN]
Sean Elliott and Jacob Tobey had the night off as the game was nationally televised on ESPN, and I expect I’ll really miss half of the third quarter being occupied with food reviews and watching those guys eat. Mike Breen and Tim Legler did the broadcast, with Richard Jefferson, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen them eat on camera.
Brandin Podziemski somehow found himself defending Wemby on the first play, and it didn’t end well for him, with a Wembanyama and-one, as the Spurs scored the first 10 points. The Spurs were quick out of the gate as they led 17-3 in the first four minutes, leading to a quick Kerr timeout.
Nate Williams is a nice talent for the Warriors, in the Jordan McLaughlin role. He got a quick layup over Victor early in the game, but the next time he tried it, Vic was ready and sent it back.
The Spurs led by as much as 17 in the first quarter, but Podziemski happened, and the Warriors went on a 13-2 run to cut the lead to just six. The Spur finished the quarter on a 5-2 run to lead 35-26 after one quarter.
Omer Yurtseven smacked Fox in the face with his elbow, and surprisingly, it was not called a foul. Fox just missed a few minutes, so luckily he wasn’t hurt too badly. He also smacked Vassell really hard on a drive to the basket, which was called a foul, but probably should have been a flagrant one.
The players left on the roster of the Warriors aren’t that talented, but they played a physical game, and it was tough to watch at times. They brought the deficit to five points early in the second quarter, but the Spurs shrugged it off and led 70-49 behind an insane 27 point 13 rebound performance from Victor Wembanyama.
There were two transition take fouls in the first half, and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that. They topped it off with a clear path foul in the third quarter.
The Warriors got a good game from Curry. Not that one. Seth had a nice night shooting the ball for the Golden Gaters.
Draymond Green’s shot release is so slow that it’s reminiscent of a medieval trebuchet, but it was hitting its target tonight, like an ancient siege weapon lobbing boulders into the enemy’s keep.
Mason Plumlee looks useless. I sure hope he doesn’t have to play in the playoffs.
The Spurs effort was somewhat lacking in the third quarter, and the Warriors outscored the Silver and Black 34-26, to cut the San Antonio lead to 96-83 with one quarter to play.
The Spurs got down to business in the fourth quarter and led by as much as 26 with 6 minutes left. They went a little cold in the final minutes, and the Warriors improved the cosmetics of the score by hitting some shots late, but the outcome was never in doubt as the Spurs won 127-113
The Spurs are on their last back-to-back of the season, which continues tomorrow night in LA against the Clippers. The Clippers or Warriors could be a first round playoff matchup for the Spurs, depending on how well they do in the play-in tournament, so I’m sure the Silver and Black wants to figure ways to take advantages of their weaknesses. It’s going to be fun to watch.
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Claire Dalton broke a tie 57 seconds into the third period with her first PWHL goal and the Toronto Sceptres beat the Ottawa Charge 2-1 on Wednesday night in a Takeover Tour game that drew 16,150 fans to the Saddledome.
Dalton also assisted on Maggie Connors’ first-period goal. Connors set up Dalton’s goal, and captain Blayre Turnbull assisted on both goals to help Toronto move past Ottawa into fourth place.
Raygan Kirk made 28 saves, allowing only Fanuza Kadirova's tying goal late in the first period. Gwyneth Philips stopped 22 shots for Ottawa.
(@cantguardjake) 
